Machine for treating earthy material



Mmh 29, 1927. l 1,622,762

R. E. BRESSLER MACHINE FOR TREATING EARTHY MATERIAL Filed Feb. s. v1925 sheets-sheet' 1 v Much 29, 1927. 1,622,762

R. E'. BREssLER r MACHINE FOR TREATING EARTHY MATERIAL Filed Feb. 5, 1925 s sheets-sheet `2 Much 1927. 1622,762 29, A R, E. BREssLER NACHI-NE FOR TREATING EARTHY IATERIAL ed Feb- 5. 1923 8 Sl'lea'cs-Sheet'K 5 Mllvllulumwmm" u *29" 1927 RQ, E. BREssLER MACHINE FOR TREATING EARTHY MATERIAL Filed Feb'. 5, 1925 s sheets-sheet 4 Much 29, 1927. 1,622,762

R. E. BRESSLER MACHINE FOR TREATING EARTHY MATERIAL Fi 1edFeb. 5, 1925 e sheets-sheet' s Mai-m 29 1927. 1,622,762

, R. E. BREssLER MACHINE FOR TREATING EARTHY MATERIAL Filed Feb. 5, 1923 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Much 19 l 622 762 29 27 R. E. BREssLER MACHINE FR TREATING' EARTHY MATERIAL 8 Sheets-Sheet 8.

Filed Feb` 5. 1923 Patented Mar. 29, 1927.

Uhllfll)v STATES PATENT OFFICE'.v

ROBERT E. BRESSLER, OF AURORA, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO WESTERN WIIEELED SCRAPER COMPANY, OF AURORA, ILLINOIS, A COBE'ORATION OF ILLINOIS,

MACHINE FOR TRETING- EARTHY MATERIAL.

Application nled February 5, 1323.

This invention relates to improvements in machines for so treating earthy materials, snc-h as clay, loam, Src., that are` as free as possible from pebbles and other hard and non-friable elements in order that such materials may be brought to a proper condition to be readily mixed or incorporated with a suitable sticky binder to render the re sultant product suitable for the construction of roadways and for other purposes, as is well understood. For the attainment of the best results it is important that such earthy material not only be brought to a finely powdered or dust-like condition but that before being incorporated with a binder it shall, in order to render such incorporation more uniform and complete, be quite highly heated. The object of my invention is to provide an improved machine for rapidly and effectively treating such earthy.

material so that while moving along through the machine it will be simultaneously pulverized and heated to the required extent to adapt it for the necessary incorporation with the sticky binder. This object I accomplish as illustrated in the accompanying drawings and hereinafter particularly described. That which is believed to be new will be set forth in the claims.

In the drawings,-

1 is a side elevation of a machine en'ibodying` my improvements, certain parts being partly broken away;

Figs. 2 and 3 are, respectively, front and rear elevations of the machine, certain parts in each figure being broken away;

Fig. Q is a detail being a fragmentary view of the combined pulley and suction member on the front portion of the main shaft;

Fig'. taken substantially on the line elf-4; of Fig. 2;

Figs. 5 and 5 are enlarged vertical sections taken substantially on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2, the view in F 5 being through the front portion of the machine and the view in Fig. 5d being through the rear portion of the machine;

F 6 is a vertical cross-section taken on the line (3-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 6L is a vertical cross-section taken on the line tia-6 of Fig. 5a;

Fig. 7 is a vertical cross-section taken at im@ 7-7 or rig. 4;

4l is a longitudinal vertical section Serial No. 617,091.

Fig. S is a detail bein a vertical crosssection taken through a portion of the rotat-v able drum and showing the arrangement Aof the diagonallydisposed cleats on the inner face of the drum at the front end thereof;

Fig. 9 is a detail, partly in section, being a view from the rear of the machine of the two dust collectors that are interposed in the path of the escaping products of combustion; and

Fig. 9a is a view in horizontal section taken on the line 9-9y of Fig. 9.

Referringto the several figures of the drawings-10 indicates the sidebars, 11 the front bar, and 12 the rear bar that together' constitute a rectangular supporting frame for the operating mechanism. As shown the frame is provided with front and rear wheels 13 and 14, respectively, for, of course, the mechanism is desirably to be moved from place to place, although it will be understood that such portability in itself is not essential toan embodiment of the invention. InA the construction shown a lire-box 15 is provided, which is suitably secured to said framework. and extends below the same. The fire-box will be provided with the usual openings for the insertion of fuel and the removal of ashes, and with lever mechanism such for example as that shown in Fig. 2 for effecting the shaking of the grate. Oil burning devices or any other suitable heating means may, of course, be used in lieu of the heating means shown.

Located above the frame and extending longitudinally of the same for a greater por tion of' the length of such frame is a cylindrical rotatable drum 16 the heads of which are formed after the manner of a wheel, as best shown in Fig. 7, the front wheel-shaped head having its spokes indicated by 17, its rim by 18, and its hub member by 19, and its rear head having the corresponding parts indicated, respectively, by 20, 21, 22. The front end head member differs from the rear head member only in that such front head member has formed with it (see Fig. 5) a Y comparatively wide inwardly-projecting annular flange 23 which is for the purpose of guarding against any material that is poured into the drum through that head, as hereinafter described, from falling out. Each of the hub members 19 and 22 of these heads is mounted upon an inner end portion of a long sleeve, the sleeve at the forward end of the machine being indicated by 2li and that at the other end by 25. hese heads of the drum .are secured to their respective sleeves in any suitable manner so that the sleeves and the drum will rotate together. Passing centrally through these sleeves 2t, 25 is a heavy shaft 26, suitable anti-friction roller bearings 27 being provided in an annular recess in the outer end of each sleeve. The sleeves 2st, 25 are rotatably supported from the main frame by means of bearings in the form of split collars 2a, 25a, which in the construction shown, are each provided with two downwardly spaced-apart ears 28 which lie alongside of and are pivotally connected, by means of a pin 30, with two similar'upturned ears 29 secured to and rising from the machineframe. This manner of supporting the bearing sleeves 2l, tends to compensate for any slight disalinement ofthe sleeves and their bearings. Interposed between each set of roller bearings 2? and the shaft`26 is a short sleeve 3l which surrounds the shaft 26 and is made fast thereto so as to rotate therewith, such sleeves, therefore, in effect constituting enlarged bearing portions of the shaft. rlhat portion of the surface ofthe shaft surrounded by these two short sleeves 3l is slotted as at 32, and the innerl surface of each of these sleeves 3l is correspondingly slotted as at 83 (see Fig. G) and as the slots in the sleeve overlie the slots on the shaft, as clearly shown in said nig. 6, a plurality of passages is provided adapted for Vthe passage of air therethrough as hereinafter explained. ln the construction shown, one of these passages, however, is utilized to receive a key 34 by meansA of which the sleeve is non-rotatably connected in place on the shaft.

Each setof roller bearings 2i' is surrounded by an annular member 27a, which in turn is surrounded by another annular member 27b that fits snugly thereon. The two contacting faces of these annular meinbers are round-ed complementarily, as clearly shown in Figs, 5 and 5, and by reason of such construction a limited degree of fienibility of the bearing members is provided for, which prevents w ar and binding of the partseven though the alinement of the main drive shaft 26 and the long sleeves 2st and 25 is not perfect, for, as will be evident, the curving or rounding from edge to edge of the two bearing annuli will permit a slight rocking motion of these parts and of the rollers that will compensate for slight irregularities in said allnement. As shown yby Fig. G I make the annular member 2Tb in separate segments, thus making it possible to properly assemble the two annular inembers and thereafter insert the bearing as a whole in place within the recessed end of its long sleeve 24 or 25.

The shaft 26 and the drum 16 are designed to be simultaneously rotated, but at different speeds, the rotation of the shaft being faster than that of the drum, and l accomplish such siniultaneous and differential rotation by the following described means. (See Figs. l and l.) Upon the shaft 26 near its rear end is secured in any suitable manner a gear 35 which is here shown as a sprocket over which runs a drive chain conn-ected with any suitable motor. Also fast on said shaft is a pinion 36 which is in mesh with a large gear 3T fast on a countershaft 38, to which countershaft isr also secured a pinion 39 that is in mesh with a large gear Li() made fast lto the outer end of the rear bearing sleeve lt will be evident that through the gearing described the rotation of the shaft will compel a rotation of the drum in the same direction, although at a very materially slower speed than that of the shaft. Secured against the inner face of the drum near the front end thereof are a number of heavy cleats etl which are best made of angle iron as shown, said cleats 4l being diagonally arranged, as clearly shown in Fig. 5, and also secured to the inner face of the drum and extending from the inner ends of the diagonal cleats 4l is a second series of similar cleats ft2, which latter, however, extend in a direct-ion parallel with the axis of the drum. Both sets of cleats are adapted to break up lumps or heavy pieces of earthy material that are fed into the forward end of the drum as hereinafter described, and the inclining of the cleats 4l aids also in moving the mass of earthy material along the drum toward and upon the cleats 42.

F or also acting upon the earthy material passing through the drinn l provide a plurality of flexibly-united members that act to violently ^ieit against the mass of earthy material passingl through the drum so as to still 'further disintegrate it, and I supplement such beater devices with another device that, like the beater devices referred to, is connected with the shaft but has its ouler portions lying in contact with the inner surface of the drum, or more accurately speaking, with wear plates secured to the inner face of the drum, so that the material will be rubbed between the outer ends of said device and the wall of the drum or the wear plates that have been referred to. Such beater devices are each formed of a number of chains each made up of links 4143 pivotally connected together in series, as clearly shown in Figs. 5 and the innermost link of each series being bolted to a longitudinally-extending bar tt carried by one of a plurality of arms 45 that extend out radially from the shaft 2G to which they are secured by means of a hub member 46 formed with said arms and suitably secured to lthe shaft. Althoughnot so shown, the hub members 46 will preferably be divided or split so as to more readily permit of their attachment to and detachment from the shaft. Each chain of links 43 of the beater devices is of such length as to allowrthe chains to extend ahnost tothe surface of the drum but without contacting such surface, and, as will be understood, the rapid rotation of the shaft will by centrifugal action hold those chains of links out radially so thatthey form most effectual beaters of the material passing through the drum. Also connected with each bar 44 is another Series of rubbing or triturating chains 47, which latter series is located near the rear end of the drum and acts upon the material being treated just before such material passes out of the drum. This' lat-er set of devices 47 differs from the beaterl devices 43 only in that each of the chains coinposing it has an additional link or two,-one additional link as here shown-so that such added links will act to rub the material being treated against the inner face of the drum,as will be apparent from an inspection of Fig. 7. The inner face of the drum opposite the flexible rubbing devices 47 is shown as provided with a lining 47, such lining being preferably made in sections riv eted or bolted to the drum. This wearing member is best made in sections, as shown in Fig. 7, so that such sections can be inserted or removed between the spokes of the wheellike rear head of the drum.

Between the front and rear bearing sleeves 24, 25 the shaft 26 is enclosed by a tube 48 of sufficiently greater diameter than the shaft to provide an annular air space between the shaft and such tube. The tube is necessarily made in sections, as is clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 5d, because of the attachment of the hubs of the beater members to the shaft. The end sections of the tube at their outer ends fit Within annular recesses formed in the said bearing sleeves and at their other ends fit snugly under an annular flange 49 formed on the adjacent hub member 45. The. intermediate sections of the tube lie under those annular flanges and other similar flanges with which the other hub members 45 are provided. Through each of the hub members 45 are formed a plurality of passages 50, as best shown in Fig. 7, for the passage of air along the shaft. Connected with the arms 45 of the beater and triturating elements are blades 5l which extend spirally along the shaft and closely adjacent to the sectional tube 48, such spiral blades tending not only to throw outward and toward the front end of the drum any material that may fall toward the center of the drum, but also to keep the tube cleaned of any such material in the event that the, tube sections do not rotate at all times with the shaft, as may be the case owing to the fact that such tube sections are not immovably connected with tne parts 45 carried by the shaft.l

Arranged over the rotatable drum 16 and supported from the main frame of the machine is a hood creasing 52 which, as best shown` in Fig. 7, is here formed with parallel side walls and a horizontal top wall. The hood creasing 52 is longer than the rotatable druin so that at each of its ends there is provided a space or chamber' vbetween the open ends of the drum and the end wallsvof the hood or casing, the space or chamber at the front end being indicated by 53 and thespace or chamber at the rear end by 54. Interposed between the casing and the drum is a vertical or radial wall 55 that effectually Y shuts olf communication between the said space 53 and the space around the drum between such drum and the casing, the object of such wall 55 being to prevent the products of combustion that arise from the fire-box or heating chamber and pass around the drum passingfinto such frontend space 53, and compelling all of such gases and other products of combustion to pass to the rear end of the casing and from thence through the drum, as hereinafter more particularly described. To compel the heated products of combustion to be more evenly distributed over the surface of the rotatable drum two baffle plates 56 that are shown, in Fig. 7 and also indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 4 are provided, one at each side of the drum, each of which extends forward for a conf siderable distance from the rear wall of the casing. The inner faces of the casing walls and the faces of the baille plates are to be covered with some suitable heat-resisting material as indicated.

Against the front wall of the casing and inset therein adjacent` to one side of the casing is a chute 57 enlarged at its upper endv to form a hopper into which the earthy inaterial to be Vtreated is delivered, the lower end of .such chute having a turned portion to adapt such material to pass through the open front head of the druni into the interior of such drum, as clearly shown in Fic'. 4.

Projecting laterally from the frame or the machine near the forward end theieof is a diagonally-disposed elevating mechanism for carrying the material that to be dumped into the chute 57 for delivery to the drum. As here shown such elevating mechanism comprises a frame formed of two spacedapart parallel rods 5S connected at their upper and lower ends, respectively, by cross pieces or short shafts 59 and GO, on which are respectively mounted sprocket wheels 61 and 62 around which moves an endless con-' veyer chain 63 carrying a series of buckets 64. Connected with the frame rods :5S-in any suitable manner is a trough 65 through which the buckets pass after discharging their loads, and which is adapted to catch and return to the ground any material that fails of being properly deposited in the machineby the'buckcts. The elevating mechannism as a whole -is to be held braced in posiover such sprocket and over another sprocket 69 that isfast on one end of a shaft 70 journaledlin suitable bearings carried by the rods 5S runs a .sprocket chain 7l. rit its other end` the cross shaft 70 carries another` sprocket wheel 72, and over this last-named sprocket wheel and a. sprocket. wheel 73 that is affixed tothe shaft 59 at the upper end of the elevatingframe rods 58 passes a sprocket chain 74.

To produce a suction that will cause a rapid movement ofthe products of combustion that pass around and through the drum and-thence through the same from the rear to thefront end before being discharged to the atmosphere I provide a comparatively large fan 75 rotatably mounted in a casing 7G that' stands at a little distance in front of the drum casing 52 and is supported from the main frame of the machine, as clearly shown in Figs. l and 2. rlhis fan casing is connected with the space or chamber between the front end of the drum and =the front wall of the drum casing, such connection being by means of a comparatively large pipe 77. A damper 77, which may be of any appropriate design, is provided for regulating the draft. Leading upwardly/"from the casing and communicatingtherewith is a smoke pipe 78 that is turned to extend toward the rear of the machine where it is connectedr to and communicates withthe interior of a dust collector or cyclone 79, the conical lower portion of which communi- Cates with a chute 8O that leads into the space 54 provided at the rear end of the casing 52. As shown, this dust collector 79 is located above the asing adjacent to one side thereof, and its chute S0 passes down through the top wall of the casing at one side of the drum. At the other sde of the casing is another and similar dust collector 7 9a whose chute SOa extends down through the top wall of the casing at the other side of the drum and leads into the said space 54. This other dust collector 79a is located materially higher above the casing than is the collector 79, and the upper end portions of the two collectors are connected by a pipe 79h which communicates with the usual centrally located discharge tube 7 9C that extends through the upper wall of the collector 79. The corresponding tube 79d in the other collector will be connected with a discharge piper-through which the smoke and gases will -bev conducted to the atn'iosphere. Thetwo dust collectors are of the ordinary construction that comprises a cylindrical upperend portion and a conical lower portion, except that against the inner face of the wall of each of the chambers there is provided/a spiral 8l which, asA here shown, may advantageously be made of strips of angle-iron.

he object of connecting the flu-e 0r smoke pipe 78'with a. dust collector, and connecting that collector with the interior ofthe machine is that, owing to the forced draft produced bythe use of the fan 75, more or Vlessl of the finely powdered earthy material will be carried out of thedrum with the products of combustionand would otherwise-be lost. By the construction described, however, such particles of material will be carried into the rear-*chamber 54 and mingle with and be discharged with the mass of material that is being discharged from the drum, while the smoke and gases will pass off to the atmosphere. Owing to the intensity of the forced draft l have found that while one dust collector vill effect a considerable separation of the earthy material from the current of smoke and gases, yet a quantity of such earthy material is liable to be carried off and lost, but with the provision of the second collector that is connected up as stated with the first collector, practically all of the earthy material will be saved, and particularly is this so when the two collectors are provided with the spirally-arranged members S51-such .spirals acting to catch the line floating particles of earthy material and direct them down and out through the respective chutes 80 and 80, while the smoke and gases will rise and escape usual through the central tubes 79"' and 7 9d.

In Figs. 3 pipe 82 leading` from the chamber 54 in the casing at the rear end -of the rotatable drum, and as there indicated the material after being treated passes out of the drum into such chamber and through said discharge pipe from whence it may be deposited either upon the ground or in any suitable receptacle.

The fan 75 is driven, in the construction shown, by the following means: On the forwardly-projecting end of the main shaft 26 is secured a pulley 83 over which passes a belt 84 that also passes over another and small-er pulley 85 that is made fast to the end of a short countershaft 86 suitably journaled in bearings secured to the front member l1 of the main frame, the other end of such countershaft also having secured to it a'pulley that is indicated by 87, over which last-named pulley and a pulley 88 on the projectingend of the fanshaft runs a belt and A4 is shown a dischargellO 89. By reason of the relative sizes of the several pulleys it will be seen that the fan 7 5 will be driven at a high rate of speed.

To prevent undue heating of the main shaft 26 it has been provided with the enclosing sectional tube i8 as above described, and to promote the rapid movement of air along the space between such shaft and its enclosing tube I have provided at each end portion of said shaft a suction-producing means: For the means at the forward end I utilize the pulley 83 hereinbefore ref-erred to. As clearly shown, suoli pulley is located quite close to the open end of the large recess iii the long bearing sleeve 24. Against each face of the pulley is bolted (see Fig. 5) "a plate. The outer one of these plates is indicated by 90 and the other one by 90u. The plate 90 extends from the hub of the pulley towards the rim but an annular space is left between its outer edge and the rim which is indicated by 90". The other plate, 90a, extends from the rim inwards towards but not to the hub and consequently there is left between its inner edge and the hub of the pulley an annular space indicated by 90C. The spokes of the pulley are provided with lateral tins 90d (see Fig. 2a) that eX- tend out to and against these plates 90-90n. These ns on the spokes virtually constitute wings or vanes and will act to drive the air in the pulley out through the annular opening 90b and of course drawing in through the central opening 90c in the other face plate air from the space around theshaft 26. I thus utilize the member 83 not only as a pulley for use in connection with the driving of the fan 75 that draws the products of combustion through the machine but also make use of it for causing a movement of air along the passage that surrounds the main shaft 26. While the pulley member 83 is well adapted by itself for causing air to move constantly and in sutlicient amount through this passage around the shaft, I have supplemented it with another airmov ing member, to wit, a fan 91 secured upon the shaft near its rear end, such fan being located in the chambercd end of the large bearing sleeve 25 and of a type adapted to force air through the passage surrounding the shaft. The passages formed by the grooves 32 in the shaft and the overlying groovesl in tlic sleeves 3l permit the air to freely pass, as do also the grooves 50 formed in the hub members of the beater and rub` bing devices that are carried by the shaft.

In operation the front end portion of the mechanism will be preferably raised a little higher than the rear end portion so to facilitate the passage of the niaterial to be treated from the front to the rear of the drum. Such slight raising can be readily accomplished when the device is a portable one as here shown, by blockingup the front wheels, as indicated inFig. 1. While, the operation has been in a measure described in connection with the description of the mechanism it is briefly as follows: With the parts in position as shown, and with fire in the lire-box l5 the main shaft 26 is to be driven from any suitable sourceof power, and, as will be understood, the gearing at the rear end of the machine that connects such shaft with the rotatable drum will cause the drum also to be rotated, but at very considerably less speed than the shaft itself. The material to be operated upon is fed into the drum through the elevating mechanism that has been described, such material either being shoveled into'the buckets thereof or automatically scooped up from a conveniently-located pile. Such material passing into the drum through the chute 57 will be first attacked by the inclined cleats 4l which not only serve to break up any lumps or clods, but serve also, by reason of their inclination, to direct the. material quickly away from the open receiving end of the drum. TheY second set of cleats 42 that are arranged parallel with the axis of the drum also serve, of course, as means for breaking up the material. Owing to the slight inclination given to the machine by raising the front end thereof as stated, the material delivered to the drum will gradually move back therethrough, such move- `ment being aided also, of course, by the pressure of fresh material being constantly poured into the drum. As such material is brought opposite the beater members that are carried by the rapidly rotating shaft, it will be so stirred and agitated as to be lvery finely divided, and, by reason of the rubbing action that is necessarily imparted to it by the last member composed of the plurality of series of links 47, it will be reduced to the desired very fine or powderlike condition that iits it for properincorporation'witli a suitable sticky binder for the making of roads, &c. 'After being subjected to the acti-onA of these last-named devices it passes from the open rear end of the drinn and out through the discharge pipe S2.

For incorporation with a sticky binder for road making and similar purposes it is not sufficient for the best results to merely have the earthy material in a finely comminuted or dust-like condition, but suoli material when delivered from the machine should also be quite highly heated, and to effectively make use of the heat from the tire that is located below the drum the gases and other products of combustion arising from the lire bed are caused to travel a circuitous path that comprises not only the space around the drum, but also the space within the drum, thus bringing the heating elements into contact with both the .inner and outer faces of the drum, and also, to a considerable extent, in

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fifi

direct contact with the material itself while such material is being acted upon by the heavy cleats and the various sets ot beating and rubbing devices that are carried by the main shaft. ln Fig. 4 the Yfull-line arrows indicate in a general way the course taken by these heated products of combustion exteriorly ot the drum, while the dotted-line arrows similarly indicate the course taken inside of the drinn. l? rom that figure it will be seen that the baliie plates 5G that extend forwardly for a considerable distance at each side or' the drum compel a large portion oi the gases and other products ot combustion to be deliected so to travel Aalongi-Lide ot the lower halt ot the drinn, and thereafter travel against that part et the drinn above the battle plates. Such gases, Sec., cannot escape pastthe forward end oit the drinn while outside oit itowingl to the close tit against the surface et such drum et the inwardly-directed wall et' the casing, as clearly shown in Figs. at and 5. As betere noted, there is, however, (see Fig. 4), a very considerable space 'between the rear end of the drum and the rear wall ot the casing and such products ot combustion will, therefore, llow into that space and thence, as indicated by the brokenvline arrows, pass into the open rear end ot `the drum and through such drum to and through the large pipe 77 that leads to the fan case 76, and trom such tan case will be driven through the tlue vor pipe 78 4to the separator members 79 and ma, where, as before explained, any particles ot the earthy material that have been carriedalong will drop through the chute 8O and mingle with `and be discharged with the mass of earthy material being discharged 'from the rear end ot the drum.

By the construction and arrangement shown a very strong compact machine is provided which will in a con'iparatively short time thoroughly reduce earthy materials to the required finely-commhinted or dust-like condition, and at the same time so thoroughly heat such materials that when they issue from the machine they will be inall respects adapted for immediate inter-mixing or incorporation with a usual binder.

that l claim as myinvention and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. ln a machine ot the class described, the combination ot a rotatable drumopen at its ends Yfor the receiving and discharging et material, means opposite the said receiving end 'for delivering material to the drum, a lire-boxbelow the drum, a casing rising trom the tire-'box and partially surrounding `said drum and located at a distance theretrom and having an end wall located at a distance from the discharge end ot the Crum, baliie plates at opposite sides ot the drinn extend- Aing inwardly-trom said end wall, whereby theproducts et' combustion will be deflected weaves towardthe receiving end ot' the drum before passing` inte the said delivery end ot the drum, and means communicating with the other or receiving` end ot the drum tor conconductingl away such products ot combustion.

2. ln a machine ot the class described, the combination ot a rotatable drum open at its ends for the receiving and dischargingl ot material, means opposite the said receiving end lor delivering material to the drum, a lire-boi; below the drum, a casing rising from the lire-bonv and partially surrounding said drum and located at a distance therefrom and having` an end wall located at a distance 'from the discharge end ot the drum whereby the products of combustion from the firehof; will pass in contact with the outer sur tace oit the drum and also pass into the delivery end ol" the drum into contact with some ot the material therein, a conduit communicating with the other or receiving end ot the drum tor conducting away such products ot conibustion, and means connected with such conduit for separating from suoli products ol combustion the particles of materi al that have been carried out of the drum therewith.

3. In a machine o'l2 the class described, the combination oi a rotatable drum open at its ends 'for the receiving and discharging otmaterial, means opposite the said receiving end ttor delivering` material to the drinn, a lire-box below the drum, a casing rising from the lire-box and partially surrounding said drum and located at a distance therefrom andhaving an end wall located at a distance trom the discharge end ot the drum whereby the products ot combustion from the fire-box will pass in contact with the outer surface ot the drum and also pass into the delivery end ot the drum into contact', with some ot the material therein, a conduit communicatingl with the other or receiving end ot thc drum tor conducting,l away such products ot combustion. said conduit extending toward the other end ot the casing, means connected with the conduit tor separating trom such products olI combustion the particlesoi material that have been carried out ot' the drinn therewith, and a chute 'for conducting such particles trom said conduit. i,

4f. ln a machine ofV the class descrilnd. thc combination et a rotatable drinn open at its ends for the receiving and discharging ot material, means opposite the said receiving` end tor delivering material to the drinn. a lire-box below the drum, a casing rising 'from the lire-box and partially surrounding said drum and located at a distance therefrom and having end wall located at a distance from the discharge end ot the drum whereby the products o" combustion trom the lire-bof; will pass in contact witl'i the outer surtace of the drum and also pass into lili lil() the delivery end of the drum into `contact with some of the material therein, a conduit communicating with the other or receiving end of the drum for conducting away such products of combustion, said conduit eX- tending toward the other end of the casing, means connected with the conduit tor separating from such products of combustion the particles of material that have been carried out of the drum therewith, and a. chute for conducting such particles through an opening in the end wall ot the casing to mingle with the material being divcharged from the drum.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a rotatable drum open at its ends for the receiving and discharging ot' material, means opposite the said receiving end for delivering material to the drum, a lire-box below the drum, a casing rising from the lire-box and partially surrounding said drum and located at a distance therefrom and having an end wall located at a distance from the discharge end oi? the drum whereby the products ot combustion from the fire-box will pass in contact with the outer surface ot the drum and also pass into the delivery end oi the drum into contact with some of the material therein, a conduit communicating with the other 0r receiving end of the drum for conducting away such products ot combustion, a rotatable fan within said conduit 'for drawing the products of combustion out ot the drum and forcing them through the conduit, and means for rotating said i'an.

(l. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a rotatable drum open at its ends for the receiving and discharging of material, means opposite the said receiving end for delivering material to the drum, a lire-box below the drum, a casing rising from the lire-box and partially surroundingsaid drum and located at a distance therefrom and having an end wall located at a distance from the discharge end of the drum whereby the products of combustion -from the lire-box will pass in contact with the outer surface of the drum and also pass into the delivery end of the drum into contact with some of the material therein, a conduit communicating with the other or receiving end of the drum for conducting away such products of combustion, a rotatable 'tan within said conduit for drawing the products of combustion out of the drum and forcing them through the conduit, means for rotating said tan, and means for separating from the products of combustion particles of material that have been carried along therewith.

7. In a machine of the class described, the combinationot a rotatable drum open at its ends for the receiving and discharging of material, means opposite the said receiving end for delivering material to the drum, a tire-box below 'the drum, a casing rising from the tire-box and partially surrounding said drum and located at a distance therefrom and having an end wall. located at a distance from the discharge end oi the drum whereby the products of combustion' from the lire-box will pass in contact with the outer surface of the drum and also pass int-o the delivery end of the drum into contact with some of the material therein,'a` conduit communicating with the other or receiving end of the drum for conducting away such products oit' combustion, a rotatable fan within said conduit for drawing the products of combustion ont of the drum and Jforcing them through the conduit, means for rotating said fan, and means 'l'or separating from the products of combustion particles ot material that have been carried along therewith, said last-named means communicating with the delivery end of the casing to cause such particles to pass out with the material issuing from the drum.

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination oit a rotatable drum open at its ends for receiving and discharging material, a lire-box below the drum, means for compelling the products of combustion to enter only at the upper portion ot the discharge end ot the drum, a conduit for carrying away such products ot combustion as they leave the other end of the drum, and a rotatable fan connected with the conduit tor creating a draft for drawing such products of combustion out of the drum and through the conduit.

9. ln a machine of the class described, the combination of a rotatable drum open at its ends for receiving and discharging material, a tire-box bel-ow the drum, means for compelling the products of combustion to enter the discharge end of the drum, a conduit for carrying away such products of combustion as they leave the other end o'l the drum, means connected with the conduit tor separating Jfrom the products of combustion particles ot material carried from the drum therewith, and means for discharging such separated particles.

10. In a machine oi the class described, the combination of a rotatable drum open at its ends for receiving and discharging material, a tire-box below the drum, means lor compelling the products of combustion to enter the discharge end ot the drinn, a conduit for carrying away such products of combustion as they leave the other end of the drum, means connected with the conduit for separating from the products of combustion .particles of material carried from the drum therewith, and means tor conducting such separated particles to a llO point adjacent the delivery end of the drum to cause them to be commingled with the material issuing 'from saidV drum.

11. In a machine of the class described, the combination ot a rota-table drum open at its ends for receiving and discharging material, a lire-box below the drum, means for compelling the products of combustion to enter one end of the drum, a conduit `tor carrying away such products of combustion as they leave the other end oi the drum, means connected with vthe conduit `for separating from the products ot combustion particles of material carried irom the drum therewith, and means for discharging such separated particles, said separating means comprising a chamber provided on the inner tace ot its wall with a spiral member.

12. In a machine ci the class described, the combination oit a rotatable drum open at its ends for receiving and discharging material, a tire-box below the drum, means orcompelling the products ot combustion to enter one end ot the drum, a conduit for carrying away such products ot combustion as they leave the other end ol the drum, means connected with the conduit for separating from the products ot' combustion particles of material carried from the drum therewith, and means for discharging such separated particles, said sepa-rating means comprising two chambers connected together through which the products of combustion successively pass, each of said chambers being provided on the inner tace oi" its wall with a spiral member.

13. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a rotatable drum open at its-ends for the receiving and discharging of material, means opposite the receiving end for delivering material to the drum, a tire-box below the drum, a casing rising from the lire-box and partially surrounding said drum and located at a distance therefrom and having an end wall located at a distance trom the discharge end of the drum whereby the products ot combustion from the lire-boaY will pass into the delivery end of the drum into contact with some of the material therein, a conduit communicating with the other or receiving end ot the drum for conducting away such products of coin-- bustion, said conduit' lying over and extending toward the other end of the casing, two chambers located over said casing and in communication with` each other and with said conduit, each chamber being adapted to cause a separation from the products ot combustion of some oi the particles ot material that have been drawn from the drinn, and a chute leading from each chamber for conducting such particles to the mass ot' material `being discharged from the drum.

la. In a machine or' the class described, the combination of a rotatable drum open at its ends for the receiving and ldischarging ot material, means opposite the receiving end for delivering material to 'theadrunn a lire-box below the drum, a casing rising from the lire-box and partially surrounding said drum and located at a distance thereifrom and having an end wall located at a distance trom the discharge end of the drum whereby the products ot combustion from the lire-box will pass intoI the vdelivery end of the ldrum into contact with some of the material therein, a conduit communicating with the other or receiving end ot the drum for conducting away such products ot combastion, said conduit lying over and extending toward the other end ot the casing, two chambers located over said casing and in communication with each other and with said conduit, each chamber being adapted to cause a separation from the products ot combustion ot some of the y particles ot' material that have been drawn from the drum, antL a chute leading `from each chamber to carry away such separated particles, said chutes passing through the casing at opposite sides ot' the said drum.

15. ln a machine of the class described, the combination with a receptacle adapted to contain comminuted'-material, of a tire-box below said receptacle means for causing the products ot combustion to pass through such receptacle for the purpoe of:.lieating it and the material contained therein, a conduit communicating with the interior of such receptacle for conducting away the products of combustion that have passed therethrough, and means connected with said conduit for separating from such products ot combustion particles ot material that have been carried out ot t-lie receptacle therewith.

16. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a rotatable drum open at `its ends tor the reception and discharge of material, a shaft passing centrally through said drum, means tor driving said shaft and drum but at different speeds, a lire-box below said drum, means 'tor causing the products ot combustion from saidire-box to pass around and through said drum, and a tubular enclosing member around said shaft ot' sutticiently greater diameter than the shalt to leave a vspare between it and the shalt, passages being provided at the bearingpeints ot' the shaft that communicate with said space whereby a passage is formed for the movement ot air along said sha'l't.

17. In a machine of the class described, the combination et a rotatable drum open at its ends for the reception and discharge of material, a sha-'ft passing centrally' through said drum, means for driving said shaft and drum but at different speeds, a lire-box below said drum, means for causing the products ot combustion from said fire-box to pass lil around and through said drum, a tubular enclosing member around said shaft of sufficiently greater diameter than the shaft to leave a space between it and the shaft, passages being provided at the bearing points of the shaft that communicate with said space whereby a passage is formed for the movement of air along said shaft, and means carried by the shaft for compelling the movement of air through such passage.

18. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a rotatable drum open at its ends for the reception and discharge of material, a shaft passing centrally through said drum, means for driving said shaft and drum but at different speeds, a fire-box below said drum, means for causing the products of combustion from said lire-boxto pass around and through said drum, a tubular enclosing member around said shaft of sufliciently greater diameter than the shaft to leave space between it and the shaft, passages being provided at the bearing points of the shaft that communicate with said space whereby a passage is formed for the movement of air along said shaft, and a fan connected with said shaft adjacent one end thereof for compelling the movement of air through such passage.

19. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a rotatable drum open at at its ends for the reception and discharge of material, a sleeve fiXedly connected with the central portion of each head of the drum and projecting outwardly therefrom., a shaft passing centrally through said drum and through said sleeves, means for rotating said drum and shaft but at dierent speeds, a hre-box below said drum. means for causing the products of combustion from said fireboX to pass around and through the drum, a tubular enclosing' `member around said shaft of sufficiently greater diameter than the shaft to leave a space between it and theshaft, passages being provided at the bearing points of the shaft that communicate with said space whereby a passage is formed for the movement of air along said shaft, and a fan connected with said shaft for compelling the moving of air through said passage, said fan being located in a chamber in one of said sleeves.

` 20. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a rotatable drum open at its ends for the reception and discharge of material, a sleeve .liXedly connectedwith the central portion of each head of the'drum and projecting outwardly therefrom, a shaft passing centrally through said drum and through said sleeves, means forv rotating said drum and shaft but at different speeds, a fire-box below said drum, means for causing the' products of combustion fro-m said firebox to pass around and through the drum, a beater member having a hub portion ixedly secured to the shaft, a sectional tubular enclosing member around said shafty at each end of such hub portion of sufficiently greater diameter than the shaft to leave a space between it and the shaft, passages being provided at the bearing points of the shaft and at the place of attachment of the hub portion of t-he said beater whereby a continuous open-ended air passage is formed around the shaft, and a fan connected with said shaft adjacent one end thereof for compelling the movement of air through such passage.

21. In a machine of the class describe-d, the combination of a rotatable drum open at its ends for the reception and discharge of material, a shaft passing centrally through` said drum, means for rotating said shaft and drum but at different speeds, a fire-box below said drum, means for causing the products of combustion from said lire-box to pass around and through said drum, a tubular enclosing member around said shaft Yof sufficiently greater diameter than .the

shaft to leave a space between it and the shaft, bearings for the end portions of the shaft, and tubular bearing members secured to the lshaft opposite sai-d bearings, said shaft and bearing members being grooved to form passages that communicate with said space whereby a continuous passage is formed for the movement of air along said shaft. Y

22. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a rotatable drum, a sleeve at one end of the drum and secured thereto so as to rotate therewith, a shaft extending through sai-d sleeve and rotatable therein, and anti-friction bearing means interposed between the sleeve and the shaft and located in a recessed portion of the sleeve, such bearing means comprising a plurality of rollers, an annular member surrounding said rollers and a second annular member enclosing and in contact with saidV first-named annular member, the contacting surfaces of said annular members being rounded to permit a relative rocking movement to compensate for irregularities in alinement of the shaft and the sleeve.

23. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a rotatable drum, a sleeve at one end of the drum and secured thereto so as to rotate therewith, a shaft extending through said sleeve and rotatable therein, and anti-friction bearing means interposed between the sleeve and the shaft and located in a recessed portion of the sleeve, such bearing means comprising a plurality of rollers,

an annular member surrounding said rollers and a second annular member enclosing and in Contact with said first-named annular member, the contacting surfaces of said ans nular members being rounded to permit a relative rocking movement to compensate for irregularities in alinement of the sha-ft and the sleeve, one of said annular members being formed of separate segments to permit the bearing to be assembled as a whole ready for insertion in the sleeve.

2stln a machine of the class described, the combination of a rotatable drum open at its ends for receiving` and diseharging` material, a rotatable shaft passing centrally through said drum and connected therewith, a tubular enclosing member around said shaft of sufficiently greater' diameter than the shaft to leave a passage for air along the shaft, a tire-box below said drum, means for compe-lling the products of combustion to pass into one end of the drum, a conduit for carrying away such products of combustion from the other end of the drum, a fan connected with the conduit for creating a draft for drawing such products of combustion out of the drum and forcing them through the conduit, and means for driving said fan, said means comprising a pulley secured on said shaft opposite an end of the air passage that surrounds the shaft, said pulley being` provided with means adapted to draw air through such passage.

25. In a. machine of the class described, the combination of a rotatable drum open at its ends for receiving and discharging` material, a rotatable shaft passing centrally through said drum and connected therewith, a tubular enclosing member around said shaft of sufficiently greater diameter than the shaft to leave a passage for air along the shaft, a lire-box below said drum, means for compelling the products of combustion to pass into one end of the drum, a conduit for carrying away such products of combus-` tion from the other end of the drum, a fan connected with the conduit for creating a draft for drawing such products of combustion out of the drum and forcing them through the conduit, and means for driving said fan, said means comprising a pulley secured on said shaft opposite an end of the air passage that surrounds the. shaft, said pulley having vanes therein and being provided with plates at its opposite sides rcspectively, an opening through the central part of that plate adjacent the said passage being provided for the admission of air from such passage and an opening through the other plate adjacent the rim of the pulley being provided for the exit of air.

2G. In a machine of the class described. the combination of a rotatable drum open at its ends for receiving and discharging niat'erial, a rotatable shaft passing centrally through said drum and connected therewith, a tubular enclosing member around said shaft of sufiiciently greater diameter than the shaft to leave a passage for air along the shaft, a tire-box below said drum, means for compelling the products of combustion Lesage-2 to pass into one end of the drum, a conduit for carrying away such products of combustion from the other end of the drum, a fan connected with the conduit for creating a draft for drawing such products of combustion out of the drum and forcing them through the conduit, and means for driving said fan. said means comprising a pulley secured on said shaft opposite an end of the pa. ge that surrounds the shaft, n lley having vanes therein and being provided with plates at its opposite sides respectively, one of said plates rextending from the rim of the pulley toward the hub andv the other plate extending from the hub toward the rim whereby openings are provided for the reception of air to the interior of the pulley from suoli passage and for its discharge from the interior of the pulley.

27. In a machine of the class described` the combination of a shaft, a drum mounted coaXially therewith and rotatable relatively thereto, said drum having openings at its ends for the reception and discharge of material, means for rotating said drum and shaft at different rates of speed, means car ricd by said shaft and operating in said drum for connninuting the material therein, an air duct surrounding said shaft and eX- tending longitudinally through said drum, and means for heating the contents of said drum.

E28. l'n a machine of t-he class described, the combination of a shaft, a drum mounted coaxially therewith and rotatable relatively thereto, said drum having openings at its ends for the recept-ion and discharge of material, means for rotating said drum and shaft at di iferent rates of speed, means carried by said shaft and operating in said drum for conuniiniting the material therein, an air duct surrounding said shaft and eX- tending` longitudinally through said drum, means for causing air to flow through said duct, and means for heating the contents of said drum.

29. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a shaft, a. drum mounted coaxially therewith and rotatable relatively thereto, said drum having openings at its ends for the reception and discharge of material, means for rotating said drum aud shaft at different rates ofwspecd, means carried by said shaft and operatingl in said drum for comininuting the material therein, an air duct surrounding` said shaft and cX-l tending longitudinally through said drum, a ian mounted at one end of the drum exterrorly thereof and driven by said shaft for causing` air to flow through said duct, and means for heating the contents of said drum.

30, ln a machine of the class described, the combination of a shaft, a drum mounted coaxiallv therewith and rotatable relatively7 thereto, said drum having openings at its lill ends for the reception and discharge of material, means for rotating said drum and shaft at different rates of speed, means carried by said shaft and operating in said drum for comminuting the material therein, an air duct surrounding said shaft and extending longitudinally through said drum, fans at beth ends of said drum mounted on and driven by said shaft for causing air to flow through said duct, and means for heat ing the contents of said drum.

81. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a shaft, a drum disposed coaxially therewith and having bearing sleeves at the ends thereof, said drum having openings at its ends for the reception and discharge of material, bearings interposed between said sleeves and said shaft, means for rotating said shaft and drum at different rates of speed, means carried by said shaft and operating in said drum for comminuting the material therein, an air duct extending through said drum around said shaft, means outside of one of said bearings and driven by said shaft fo-r causing air to ow through said duct, and means for heating the contents of said drum.

32. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a shaft, a drum mounted coaxially therewith and rotatable relatively thereto, said `drum having openings at its ends for the reception and discharge of material, means for driving said shaft and drum at different rates of speed, hub mem bers mounted on said shaft within said drum to rotate with said shaft, means carried by said hub members for comminuting the material in said drum, an air duct extending through said drum around said shaft and comprising passages through said hub members, means for causing air to flow through said duct, and means for heating the contents of said drum. y

33. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a shaft, a drum mounted coaxially therewith and rotatable relatively thereto, said drum having openings at its ends for the reception and discharge of material, means for drivingsaid drum and shaft at different rates of speed, means rotating with said shaft and opera-ting in said drum for comminuting the material therein, spi al blades mounted on said shaft between the same and said comminuting devices and extending longitudinally of the drum, an air duct extending longitudinally of said drum around said shaft between saidspiral blades and said shaft, means for causing air to iow through said duct, and means for heating the contents of the drum.

34. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a shaft, a drum mounted coaxially therewith and rotatable relatively thereto, means for driving said drum and shaft at different rates of speed, means at one end of said drum for admitting material thereto, an outlet at the opposite end of said drum, plates adjacent to the inlet end of the drum for advancing material therealong, beater devices carried by said shaft andl operating in said drum intermediately of the length thereof, said beater devices being out of contact with the inner wall of said drum, triturating devices carried by said shaft adjacent to the outlet end of said drum and adapted to rub against the inner surface thereof, means for heating the contents of said drum, an air duct extending through said drum around said shaft, and means for forcing air through said duct.

35. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a shaft, a drum mounted coaxially therewith and rotatable relatively thereto, means for driving said drum' and shaft at different rates of speed, means at one end of said drum for admitting material thereto, an outlet at the opposite end of said drum, plates adjacent to the inlet end of the drum for advancing material therealong, beater devices carried by said shaft and operating in said drum intermediately of the length thereof, said beater devices being out of contact with the inner wall of said drum, triturating devices carried by said shaft adjacent to the outlet end of said drum and adapted to rub against the inner surface thereof, spiral blades carried by and rotating with said shaft and extending longitudinally thereof between said beater and triturating devices and said shaft, means for heating the contents of said drum, an air duct extending through said drum around said shaft, and means for forcing air through said duct.

36. I n a machine of the class described, the combination of a shaft, a drum disposed coaxially with said shaft and rotatable relatively thereto, means for rotating said 'drum and shaft at different rates of speed, comminuting devices carried by said shaft and operating in said drum, a housing enclosing said drum and arranged to expose one end thereof, means at the exposed end of said drum for admitting material thereto, a fire box in the lower portion of said housing, baffle plates extending from the outlet end of said housing along the sides of said drum toward but not to the inlet end thereof and arranged to cause the products of combustion from said fire box to pass up around the inlet end portion of the drum, whereby said products of combustion will enter the drum above said baille plates at the outlet end thereof, and means communicating with the inlet end of the drum for drawing off the products of combustion therefrom.

ROBERT E. BRESSLER. 

